JACOBS HELPS SAFEGUARD CHILDREN AT CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK

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Monday, October 21, 2013

Both parents and grandparents attend making sure car seats are properly installed

Erie County, NY- Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs teamed up with Sheriff Tim Howard to make the roads safer for child passengers during a free car seat safety inspection held at the Eastern Hills Mall on Saturday. The mall is home to an Erie County Auto Bureau satellite office.

“Safety studies have shown that an estimated 30 percent of children continue to ride unrestrained,” said County Clerk Jacobs. “I felt it was important to offer assistance to parents, grandparents and guardians to guarantee their children are safe and secure when riding in any vehicle.”

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office were on hand and inspected over 50 vehicles with child safety seats to make sure they were properly installed, provided tips on child safety seats, alerted parents to recalled products and issued 12 new safety seats. According to Clerk Jacobs a number of grandparents attended the safety event in preparation of their children and grandchildren coming home for the holidays.

“A staggering 3 out of 4 car seats are being used incorrectly,” stated Jacobs. “I am glad so many families took time to attend this important child safety event and learn firsthand how to properly install a car seat from certified professionals and to also have their child’s seat inspected.”

New York State requires that all children must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle until they reach their 8th birthday. Children under sixteen years of age must also wear a seatbelt when riding in the back seat of any passenger car. Jacobs added, “Thanks to the Erie County Sheriff's Office and our partners in law enforcement, we were able to provide the valuable assistance of inspecting and properly installing car seats to so many.”

For additional tips and information on car seat safety visit the Clerk’s website at www.erie.gov/clerk or to schedule a car seat safety inspection call the Erie County Sheriff’s Office at 858-4979.